Page 12 of Body of Trust

Jesse’s brow furrows. He looks pained. “Your father has kept you in a bubble, away from all of this for a reason. I shouldn’t be the one to tell you.”

“The bubble burst when men started shooting at us!”

He nods in agreement. He takes a seat beside me and rests his elbows on his knees. His hands fidget as he tries to start the story. “Your family doesn’t just provide private sanitation around New York City.”

His foot taps on the wood floor as he swallows, hard. I’ve never seen someone so bothered by what they are about to say. It’s making me nervous.

“Your family is involved in something bigger, and Carlo Lugazzi is upset because they’ve infringed on his turf.”

“You’re being vague again, Jesse.”

“And I promise, it’s for your benefit. You need to understand that me telling you this can get me killed.”

“You saved my life tonight—”

“No!” He turns his body to me. His eyes are red-rimmed, and he looks irritated. “You can never let anyone know you were here. They can’t know you were here with me, and most importantly, no one can find out we spoke. You have to promise me.”

The plea is enough to make me grab his shoulder and hold it steadily. “I won’t. I promise. It’s a stupid promise to make because what you’ve done is nothing short of amazing.” I mean it. I don’t know this man as well as I should, but he put his life on the line for me tonight.

“I didn’t do anything.”

“You protected me.” My words make that pained expression morph into surprise and wonderment. “You rushed into action and didn’t hesitate. I put my confidence in you, and now, you need to believe in me. I want to know everything.”

“I can only tell you what I know will keep you safe.”

I swallow. “I can handle it.”

“I know you can.” He runs a hand through his hair and rubs the back of his neck. “Getting you out of Villa Russo, rushing through the tunnels and bringing you here, was the best decision. The men who came tonight were careless. No one shoots up a restaurant if they don’t want to harm a woman. That alone was reason enough for me to take you with me.”

“Why is this Lugazzi person so angry?” I swallow down the nerves, not believing this is really happening.

“When I find out, I’ll tell you.”

I accept his answer as I let out a heavy breath.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“Sure. It’s not every day you find out your family is involved in business that has mobsters coming after them. I just need some time to adjust to the news.” I rub my eyes and then my temples. “I don’t suppose you have any advice. I’m sure your father has a normal job.”

“He’s a geography teacher.”

I swivel my head at his quick and honest answer. “And your mom?”

He smiles, and it settles my anxiety. “Now, you’re pushing it.” The slight bump of his shoulder into mine makes me let out a light laugh.

“Come on. You know all my secrets.”

His eyes soften as he looks down with a grin. A deep sigh escapes his lips. “My mother is a bank teller. My sister is in her third year of college.”

“You have a sister too? I’m surprised you never commiserated with me during our nights at the bar.”

“I wanted to. Especially since she is just like yours. Center of attention and late for everything.” He stares off with a gaze of wistfulness. “She drives me up the wall, but she’s mine, and I wouldn’t change her for anything.”

“I bet you’re the protective older brother.”

“Actually, I haven’t seen my family in two years.”

I blink rapidly at his statement. Not talking to my family is something I can’t even fathom. For him to have that kind of relationship with them could only mean something horrible must have happened between them. A fight or a misunderstanding blown out of proportion perhaps. It must be terrible.